Receptacle



April 20, 1937. v` A. I AMARE RECEPTACLE Filed March '7, 1956 Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to receptacles. More particularly the invention relates to that type of receptacle which is adapted for use in mailing or ship-ping a small article and embodies an open top and open bottom compartment for the article and a top and bottom closure for the compartment.

One object of the invention is to provide a receptacle of this type which is formed of substantially rigid cardboard, consists of a plurality of superposed laminations, and is characterized by the fact that the intermediate laminations have aligned compartment-forming cutouts and the end laminations form respectively the top `and 15. bottom closures for the cutout-formed compartment.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a mailing or shipping receptacle of the last-mentioned character which is formed of but a single piece of cardboard and in which the laminations are hinged together and are formed by scoring the cardboard transversely thereacross at equidistantly spaced points and then folding the cardboard piece so that it is of plaited or accor dion formation and the laminations thereof are in superposed relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle of the type and character under consideration which embodies simple and novel means for assisting the hinge portions Ybetween the laminations in holding or securing the laminations against lateral displacement one relatively to the other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes which is generally of new and improved construction and may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost and in which rigidity and strength of design are combined with ease and quickness of assembly.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present receptacle will be apparent Vfrom a consideration of the following detailed description.

4:5 The invention consists in the several noyelfeatures which are hereinafter set forth and lare more particularly deiined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference .dene-te corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is: a perspective showing a receptacle embodying the invention prior to folding of the laminations into su'perposed relation;

Figure 2 is a perspective showing the receptacle in its normal or assembled position and with the top closure thereof in its raised or open position to permit of access to the compartment;

Figure 3 is a perspective showing the recep- 5 taclein readiness for mailing or shipping and with a gummed strip extending transversely therearo-und so as to seal or hold in place the top and bottom closures;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional View 10 illustrating the manner in which the laminations are hinged together and the compartment is formed by the cutouts in the central portions of the intermediate laminations;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective of a re- 15 ceptacle which constitutes. a modified form of the invention and includes linings of adhesive on the contiguous faces of the laminations for securing the laminations together; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical section of a re- 20 ceptacle which constitutes another modified form of the invention which is characterized by the fact that the laminations have inter-fitting ribs and grooves whereby they are locked against re1- ative lateral or sidewise displacement. 25

' The receptacle which is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention and is designed for use in mailing or shipping a small elongated article. It is formed of a single piece 1 of card- 30 board and consists of a plurality of superposed laminations 8, 9, I0, II, I2 and I3. The cardboard piece from which the receptacle is formed is rectangular, as shown in Figure 1, and preferably is three-sixteenths of an inch in thickness. The laminations 8, 9, I0, II, I2 and I3 are formed by forming transverse scores I4, I5, I6, I'I and I8 across the cardboard piece l. 'Ihese scores, as shown in Figure 1, extend from one side edge of the cardboard piece to the other and penetrate 40 approximately one-half of the way through the piece 1. They are spaced equidistantly apart and permit the sheet to be folded in order to bring the laminations into superposed relation. 'I'he scores HI, I6 and I8 are formed in one side of 45 the piece 'I of cardboard and the scores I5 and I'I are formed in the other'side of the cardboard piece and in alternate relation with respect to the scores I4, I6 and I8. By forming the scores in this mannerthe sheet when folded has an ac- 50 cordion or plaited formation and the laminations are each connected at one side by a hinged formation to the superjacent lamination and by a hinged formation at the other side to the subjacent lamination. By reason of the fact that 55 the cardboard sheet is rectangular and the scores are spaced equidistantly apart, the laminations are all the same as far as size is concerned. The intermediate laminations, that is the laminations 9, I0, H and l2, have central rectangular cutcuts I9. These cutouts extend lengthwise of the intermediate laminations. They are equal in size and when the cardboard piece 'l is folded so as to. bring the laminations into superposed relation they register with one another as shown in Fig,-V ure 4 and form a compartment 2@ in the interior; This compartment has an open top and bottom and is adapted to receive thearticle which is td bemailed or shipped in thel receptacle. The end laminations 8 and i3 `are imperforate and form respectively a top and a bottom closure for the compartment 29. When these two laminations are in their folded position they lap respectively the laminations 9 and l2 and close or seal the compartment 2G.

In addition to the laminations 8, 9, I 0, H, l2 and i3 the receptacle of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 comprises a strip 2i. This strip is formed of paper and serves to hold or secure the laminations of the receptacle in .abutting relation during mailing or shipping of the receptacle. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, the strip 2l is adapted to be folded around the top, sides and bottom of the receptacle and forms when in its operative position an enclosing or surrounding band. The inner face of the strip is provided with a facing 22 of water soluble adhesive or gum whereby it may be adhesively secured in place. The ends of the strip are adapted to overlap one another, as shown in Figure 4. The width of the strip is less than the length of the receptacle and as a result when the strip is wrapped into encircling or surrounding relation with respect to the laminations the ends of the receptacle, as shown in Figure 3, project beyond the side edges of the strip. Because of this it is possible when it is desired to open the receptacle to insert a knife or cutting tool under the outer portion of the free or unhinged side margin of the lamination 8 and then by drawing the knife or tool lengthwise from one end portion of said margin to the other to sever the strip transversely and thus free the lamination 8 so that it may be swung upwardly with respect t the lamination l for compartment exposing purposes. To facilitate transverse severing of the strip 2l, a line 25 of perforations is formed in the strip. This line is adapted when the strip 2| is applied to the receptacle to be aligned with the unhnged side edge of the lamination 8 and facilitates severing or cutting of the strip. The outer face of the strip forms .a surface on which the name and address of the sendee and also the name and return address of the sender may be written.

The receptacle is assembled by folding the cardboard piece l along the scores lli, l5, I6, I1 and iS into accordion or pleated formation to bring the laminations into superposed relation. When the laminations are in such relation the cutouts of the intermediate laminations, as heretofore pointed out, form the compartment or body portion 2%. When it is desired to Seal the receptacle so as to place it in readiness for mailing or shipping purposes the compartment is closed by swinging the end. laminations 8 and I3 into lapped relation with the adjoining intermediate laminations and the gummed sealing strip 2| is applied as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. After application of the strip the laminations are securely held in abutting relation and the recepta-y cle as a whole is rm and rigid.

The mailing or shippinug receptacle of Figure 5 constitutes a modified form of the invention. This receptacle is similar in design and construction to that of Figures l, 2, 3 and 4 with the exception that it employs facings 2li of adhesive material to secure the laminations thereof in abutting relation instead of a gummed sealing strip. The facinlgs 2li are preferably formed of rubber material which is n'onadhesive except when brought into contact with like or the same material. The intermediate laminations have facings of the adhesive on both sides thereof and the end laminations have facings only on their inner sides. The facings are so arranged that when the laminations are brought into superposed relation they adhere to one another and thus effect a complete seal of the receptacle. The facings are secured or united to the laminations by suitable coatings of cement or other material.

The receptacle which is shown in Figure 6 constitutes another or second embodiment of the invention. It is the same in design and construction as the receptacle of Figures l to 4 with the exception that each lamination is provided along one side margin thereof with an upstruck portion which forms a longitudinally extending groove on its under face and a complemental rib 26 on its upper face. The ribs 2E t within the grooves 25 as shown in Figure 6 and form interlocking connections whereby the laminations are held or looked against relative lateral displacement.

The receptacles herein shown are extremely simple as far as construction is concerned and may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost.

Whereas in the three forms of receptacles hereis shown each include six laminations it is to be understood that more or less laminations may be used depending upon the desired depth of the article-receiving compartment.

It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes, formed of a single piece of comparatively thick substantially rigid cardboard and comprising a plurality of superposed laminations hinged together at the sides thereof and formed by bending the cardboard piece into pleated or accordion formation, the intermediate laminations having centrally disposed aligned cutouts therein forming a compartment with an open top and bottom, and the end laminations being imperforate and serving as closures for the top and bottom of the compartment.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes, formed of a rectangular piece of comparatively thick substantially rigid cardboard having equidistantly spaced transverse scores across both sides thereof and the scores on one side arranged in alternate relation with the scores on the other side, and comprising a plurality of superposed laminations hinged together along the sides thereof and formed by bending the cardboard piece along the scores into pleated or accordion formation, the intermediate laminations having centrally disposed aligned cutouts therein forming a compartment with an open top and bottom, and the end laminations being imperforate and serving as closures foi' the top and bottom of the compartment.

3. AS a new article of manufacture, a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes, comprising a group of superposed hinged laminations formed by bending a single piece of cardboard into pleated formation, having aligned compartmentforming cut outs in the intermediate laminations and the end laminations forming top and bottom closures for the compartment and also having adhesive coatings between the laminations for holding the latter in superposed relation.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes, comprising a group of intermediate superposed cardboard laminations provided with intertting rib and groove connections therebetween and having aligned cutouts therein forming a compartment with an open top and bottom, and imperforate end laminations abutting against the outermost intermediate laminations and serving as closures for the top and bottom of the compartment.

5. A blank adapted to form a mailing or shipping receptacle and comprising a rectangular piece of comparatively thick substantially rigid cardboard having equidistantly spaced transverse scores across both faces thereof and with the scores on one face in alternate relation with the scores on the other face and serving to form with the latter laminations of uniform size and also having similarly located cutouts of uniform size in the central portions of the intermediate laminations.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes, formed of a single piece of comparatively thick substantially rigid cardboard and comprising a plurality of superposed laminations hinged together at the sides thereof and formed by bending the cardboard piece into pleated or accordion formation, the intermediate laminations having centrally disposed aligned cutouts therein forming a compartment with an open top and bottom, the end laminations being imperforate serving as closures for the topand bottom of the compartment, and separate means for holding the laminations in superposed relation.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes, formed of a single piece of comparatively thick substantially rigid cardboard and comprising a plurality of superposed laminations hinged together at the sides thereof and formed by bending the cardboard piece into pleated or accordion formation,.

the intermediate laminations having centrally disposed aligned cutouts therein forming a compartment with an open top and bottom, and the end laminations being imperforate and serving as closures for the top and bottom of the compartment, and a band extending around the superposed laminations to maintain them in said relation.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle for mailing or shipping purposes comprising body portion formed of a single piece of comparatively thick substantially rigid cardboard composed of a plurality of superposed laminations hinged at the sides thereof and formed by bending the cardboard piece into pleated or accordion formation, and having centrally disposed aligned cutouts therein forming a compartment with an open top and bottom, imperforate laminations serving as closures for the top and bottom of the compartment, and means for holding the imperforate and body portion laminations in superposed relation.

VINCENT A. LAMARE. 

